Open AccessSupply Chain Management in a Rapidly Urbanising World
Author(s) -
Peter Batt
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/309/1/012001
Subject(s) - food systems , business , urbanization , government (linguistics) , food security , poverty , food processing , economic growth , supply chain , natural resource economics , environmental planning , agriculture , geography , marketing , economics , political science , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , law
Our world is rapidly urbanizing. By 2050, two thirds of humanity will live in cities. Increasing rates of urbanisation are putting more pressures on resources; influencing what foods we eat, where and when we eat them; the way our food is grown, processed and delivered to consumers; and impacting on our health and nutrition. Worldwide, interest in urban food systems and the increasing engagement of municipal government in food issues is growing rapidly as cities are largely dependent on external food sources. Food chains are growing longer, global trade is increasing and the diversity of food available to consumers is increasing. However, while urbanization presents many opportunities for smallholder producers, the lack of knowledge, resources and infrastructure continues to limit their participation in modern urban food systems. Furthermore, poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition are shifting from a rural problem to an urban problem. Urban food systems are being challenged to be more inclusive, responsive and resilient. This impacts on the need for greater investment in wholesale marketing and distribution systems, food quality and safety, transport and logistics, and improved food waste management.